By BART HUBBUCH

Posted: 3:44 am
July 6, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Despite two concussions and a bout of post-concussion syndrome already this year, Mets right fielder Ryan Church said his sudden exit last night was due to a long struggle with migraine headaches instead.

Church, who did not start Friday's game here because of slight fatigue, was lifted in the eighth inning of a 9-4 win here over the Phillies after complaining of dizziness.

After consulting with a team neurologist in New York whom the Mets still refuse to name, Church and the Mets said the initial feeling is the dizziness was brought on by migraines - which he has had since high school - and not the concussions.

Church had just returned June 29 from a three-week DL stint due to post-concussion syndrome that the Mets and their doctors were very tardy in acknowledging.

After enduring much criticism, the club plans to be diligent with Church this time around.

"If he has a headache [today], then we won't play him," Jerry Manuel said.

Church said he planned to take prescription medication last night and expected to start this afternoon's game at Citizens Bank Park if the headache had subsided by then.

"It was a bad headache that went straight into my eyes, and that's when the dizziness came on," Church said.

"[The unnamed team doctor] assured me it was because of the migraines. I'm relieved they said it was because of migraines. I'll get some medication for it and go from there."